Air Astana enhances crew utilization efficiency via digital tools

:: Air Astana

Kazakhstan’s largest carrier, Air Astana Group, has optimized its crew utilization through the implementation of the Jeppesen Crew Pairing system, according to its 2025 annual report. Introduced in April last year, this digital tool led to a 26% increase in flight departures for pilots with limited time reserves within its first four months. It also resulted in a 16% reduction in crew duty days and optimized personnel allocation during the peak season.

The latter improvement yielded a 17% saving in seat capacity, which the airline was then able to release for commercial sale.

In September 2025, Air Astana took the next step by deploying the Jeppesen Crew Rostering Optimizer. The group also plans to launch Jeppesen Crew Bidding in the first quarter of 2026. This system incorporates employee preferences to provide crews with greater flexibility and engagement. According to the report, if these digital solutions prove effective, the group intends to roll them out across other departments, including ground services.

In 2025, the Group — which also includes the low-cost subsidiary FlyArystan — saw total revenue increase by 11.4% to $1.45 billion. However, net profit fell by 72% to $13.6 million.